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Original poster

Shoes off

127 replies

JoJoe1986 · 21/08/2020 00:49

Hello, I'm just about to put my property on the market and wondering if its rude to ask potential buyers to kick off their shoes when going upstairs? We have new carpet which I'm keen to keep clean and in theory it could be in their benefit should they put an offer in? Im nervous to ask as it's an awkward request. Would you be offended?

OP posts:
PleasantVille · 21/08/2020 08:34

@premiumshoes

Limiting your potential homes to ones where you won't be asked to take your shoes off is a totally bizarre approach to buying a home ime.

You called me a weirdo because I have different ways to you. That's more bizarre than anything I said. I wouldn't limit potential homes at all, this is a hypothetical situation. I'm not in the market for a new home, ever, probably due to my desire to keep things just so.

Your posts are confusing, first you say that you wouldn't go in a strangers house without your shoes on, now you say a home search won't be limited by your policy, the logical conclusion is that you would only hypothetically buy a house from people you already know, equally odd

Are you worried that a hypothetical home seller might steal your premium shoes Grin

weepingwillow22 · 21/08/2020 08:34

I would be more inclined to buy a house where the owners have asked me to take my shoes off. I consider that if the owners have a good attitude towards hygiene and cleanliness they house would have been more likely to have been well maintained.

isabellerossignol · 21/08/2020 08:35

Mocking someone for what they have already explained is related to their autism is pretty low.

jcurve · 21/08/2020 08:38

Leaving your outdoor shoes on indoors is grim. I grew up rurally so it’s a big no no & now living in London it’s doubly revolting given the amount of spit, urine & dog shit on the streets.

I’d be completely fine with being asked to take my shoes off - obviously anyone selling their house doesn’t want unnecessary marks on the floors or carpets.

premiumshoes · 21/08/2020 08:38

Your posts are confusing, first you say that you wouldn't go in a strangers house without your shoes on, now you say a home search won't be limited by your policy, the logical conclusion is that you would only hypothetically buy a house from people you already know, equally odd

I said I am NOT in the market for a new home, EVER. How you translate that to ' a home search won't be limited by your policy, the logical conclusion is that you would only hypothetically buy a house from people you already know, equally odd*'. Just how?

Also, it's not a fucking policy, it's a disability issue.

TheWildRumpyPumpus · 21/08/2020 08:40

Not wading into the rights/wrongs of asking people to take their shoes off inside your house!

But I had a bathroom designed come yesterday and he apologised for not being allowed to remove his shoes as part of their new COVID-safe risk assessment - he used the shoe covers instead.

weepingwillow22 · 21/08/2020 08:41

I think those that object to taking their shoes off for medical or other reasons should bring shoe coverings with them when visting other peoples homes.

Lazypuppy · 21/08/2020 08:42

I think its perfectly reasonable!

We bought a house that had had new carpets laid and i'm so pleased they asked for shoes off for viewings as it meant carpet was perfect when we moved in 😊

PumpkinParent · 21/08/2020 08:45

When we’ve viewed houses, I’ve tried to remember to ask the estate agent if it is a shoes on or off household to her/his knowledge. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to brief the estate agent to say “The vendors have mentioned that they are usually a shoes off household”. Good luck with the sale.

PegasusReturns · 21/08/2020 08:45

Shoes on/off is such a divisive issue and in the U.K. it’s mostly a class issue.

Same as napkin/serviette sofa/settee pudding/dessert.

Mrs Hinch would be shoes off; Kirsty Allsopp would be shoes on.

You're one or the other.

premiumshoes · 21/08/2020 08:46

@isabellerossignol

Mocking someone for what they have already explained is related to their autism is pretty low.

Thank you.

I touched on this upthread. It has taken years for me to be able to say no to to things I don't feel comfortable with. That was very hard and spreads across a whole manner of situations throughout my whole life. Nothing is harder to deal with than the attitude of others though. Nothing.

PleasantVille · 21/08/2020 08:47

@premiumshoes

Your posts are confusing, first you say that you wouldn't go in a strangers house without your shoes on, now you say a home search won't be limited by your policy, the logical conclusion is that you would only hypothetically buy a house from people you already know, equally odd

I said I am NOT in the market for a new home, EVER. How you translate that to ' a home search won't be limited by your policy, the logical conclusion is that you would only hypothetically buy a house from people you already know, equally odd*'. Just how?

Also, it's not a fucking policy, it's a disability issue.

In that case I apologise, I'm not a very regular poster, if I should have known your situation from previous threads I didn't and it wasn't mentioned in any of your posts that I replied to.
Gurufloof · 21/08/2020 08:49

Are you worried that a hypothetical home seller might steal your premium shoes

This comment is hardly fair, the poster explained multiple times now that it's a disability. Do you always make fun at disabled people?

FWIW, I have been asked to remove shoes in 3 peoples houses. And now I know I will be asked I take slippers to those places.

premiumshoes · 21/08/2020 08:50

In that case I apologise, I'm not a very regular poster, if I should have known your situation from previous threads I didn't and it wasn't mentioned in any of your posts that I replied to.

So you ignored the post that I gave a big explanation and only read ones you decided to reply to?

Ok. Believable.

You shouldn't be calling people weirdos because they don't think the same as you anyway: horrible

Aethelthryth · 21/08/2020 08:50

It's always rude to ask people to take their shoes off.

premiumshoes · 21/08/2020 08:51

I'm sorry for derailing OP. Another 'autistic' trait is that I can't let things go 🙄

Whatthebloodyell · 21/08/2020 08:52

I think that it would
Be better to make sure there was a decent door mat and ask people to give their shoes a good wipe. Those who are happy to remove their shoes will then volunteer to do so. If you want to insist that they remove their
Shoes then make sure they can do that comfortably, by having a chair by the door.

PleasantVille · 21/08/2020 08:58

@premiumshoes

In that case I apologise, I'm not a very regular poster, if I should have known your situation from previous threads I didn't and it wasn't mentioned in any of your posts that I replied to.

So you ignored the post that I gave a big explanation and only read ones you decided to reply to?

Ok. Believable.

You shouldn't be calling people weirdos because they don't think the same as you anyway: horrible

No, I didn't ignore your post, I haven't even seen it.
PleasantVille · 21/08/2020 09:01

Posted too soon, feel free to ctricise me for not reading every single post, totally accept that, my phone bookmark doesn't always work so I do miss stuff.

premiumshoes · 21/08/2020 09:05

No, I didn't ignore your post, I haven't even seen it

I don't really believe that to be honest. You responded to a post of mine from before and after the one that I explained my autism in.

Also your apology means nothing. You posted some shit that I didn't say. That's what you should apologise for, not for the fact you 'didn't know'

This...

Your posts are confusing, first you say that you wouldn't go in a strangers house without your shoes on, now you say a home search won't be limited by your policy, the logical conclusion is that you would only hypothetically buy a house from people you already know, equally odd

I said I was NOT EVER going to search for a new home. So this is just you having a go to make you feel big time. It backfired because you look very small. Now leave me alone.

WaltzingBetty · 21/08/2020 09:05

@isabellerossignol

My question is what is the reasoning for it?

I already answered that Confused It is to do with overfamiliar behaviour, the idea of walking round in your underwear (which in this case is socks), making yourself overly at home in someone else's house when you barely know them, being bad manners. In the same way that you wouldn't walk into someone else's house and help yourself to food, or put your feet on the furniture.

Overfamiliar, bad manners, whatever. Like stripping to your underwear.

Ok so taking your shoes off is socially equivalent to being in your underwear?
Except it's patently not is it? There's no social situation where being in your underwear is normal, there are many where being barefoot/socked/slippered is.

So you never visit family or friends where you can relax and be informal? (Sans shoes)?

Or in this scenario where you'd place your own perception of manners above the homeowners? Good manners are supposed to be about making the other person comfortable, so refusing to remove your shoes when asked by the homeowner because you reason that you'd be making yourself overly comfortable in someone else's house is really just about putting your own needs before the homeowners. thats not what good manners are about.

lightlypoached · 21/08/2020 09:05

I always offer to take shoes off when doing house viewings. Sometimes agents ask you to. All fine by me.

Only exception is for doer uppers that are in a state anyway.

PenguinBarnotBird · 21/08/2020 09:05

@ShyTown

Get the agent to provide those plastic bootie things instead. That way no one has to remove their shoes and your carpet stays pristine.
See there’s always a solution!
rutabellsum · 21/08/2020 09:14

I would ask the agent to pass the message and you are totally right about keeping it clean.
Most people I know today are very willing and "trained" to take their shoes off. In fact, some just ask before they come in or go upstairs. Also trades as they are used to this now.

I think it's pretty common these day..
We all take our shoes off in the house, I can't bear the thought of stepping onto a clean floor and rugs having walked all over London! God know what we are stepping on outside...

To the person who said they will consider not putting an offer because of shoes-off policy. Well, RELLY?? Even if it was the house of your dreams?

isabellerossignol · 21/08/2020 09:14

So you never visit family or friends where you can relax and be informal? (Sans shoes)?

I'm never invited to take my shoes off in someone else's house, so of course I don't. Because it would be rude to sit there with my shoes off when everyone else has got theirs on, surely? But it doesn't mean I'm not able to relax in their houses, or I'm not made welcome.

Or in this scenario where you'd place your own perception of manners above the homeowners? Good manners are supposed to be about making the other person comfortable, so refusing to remove your shoes when asked by the homeowner because you reason that you'd be making yourself overly comfortable in someone else's house is really just about putting your own needs before the homeowners. thats not what good manners are about.

I have already said (possibly even twice on this thread) that I wouldn't refuse to take my shoes off if I was asked, so I don't know where you got that imaginary scenario from. But it's interesting that it doesn't seem to apply in reverse where people are saying that they would automatically take their shoes off.

I specifically said that I wouldn't be offended by being asked to take my shoes off (although in my 45 years it has only happened once) but that I get pissed off about being told I have no manners for not being able to mindread.

I don't really understand the hygiene argument either because most people I know have pets. I don't understand how dogs can walk outdoors and indoors and that's fine, but humans walking outdoors then indoors is unhygienic.